Acceptance Rate
76%
Avg. SAT
1330
75th percentile
“Waterfront liberal arts haven where students kayak to class and study sea turtles up close on Boca Ciega Bay.”
Saint Petersburg, FL
Location
Large City
Campus Setting
Eckerd College sits on a 267-acre peninsula jutting into Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, Florida, founded in 1958 as Florida Presbyterian College and renamed in 1972 after a major donation from Eckerd drugstore founder Jack M. Eckerd. This small private liberal arts school draws students who crave hands-on learning amid palm trees and Gulf breezes, thriving in a collaborative environment that prioritizes real-world experiences over rote memorization. You'll find a tight-knit community of about 2,000 undergraduates who bond over waterfront adventures and beachside chats, but the small size means fewer course options and a campus that feels isolated from bigger-city bustle.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Eckerd shines in marine science, environmental studies, and biology, where you'll dissect shark embryos in the Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory or join faculty on research boats scanning for manatees. Classrooms buzz with the colloquium system—small, discussion-based seminars that replace traditional lectures, fostering close faculty ties in a setting where professors know your name from day one. Expect intimate upper-level courses after navigating larger introductory ones, though competitive majors like marine science fill up fast, and the liberal arts focus might leave specialized tracks feeling narrow.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,893 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
76%
Black / African American
3%
Hispanic / Latino
10%
Asian
2%
Other / Multi-racial
10%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Saint Petersburg, FL
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Life revolves around six themed residential colleges—think Omega for artsy types or Kappa for future leaders—where you'll live, eat, and plan events with the same 200-300 peers, building instant community. A typical week mixes beach volleyball, sunset sails from the free waterfront program, and low-key parties, with St. Pete's vibrant murals and breweries just a short drive away. Summers bring scorching heat and hurricane risks, while the suburban feel keeps things relaxed but requires a car for nightlife.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Sunshine State Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$27,782
$30K – $48K
$28,414
$48K – $75K
$32,563
$75K – $110K
$35,454
$110K+
$41,466
Apply for Financial Aid
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
76%
4 Years Graduation Rate
63%
6 Years Graduation Rate
67%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$51,819
76% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Eckerd College and return in the fall. 63% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 67% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
63%
4-5 years
4%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
32%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$48,220
Acceptance
76%
Undergrads
1,893
4-Year Grad Rate
63%
Endowment
$67M
Saint Petersburg, FL 33711-4700